No one can lie, no one can hide anything, when he looks directly into someone's eyes.
-Paulo Coelho
Lightning wanted to say no. She tried to say no. But when the word was finally able to leave her lips, it betrayed her.
What could Fang say? What could she possibly say to take away such an uncomfortable and vulnerable moment for the soldier. The only thing she had was a truthful and understanding, "me too."
With their confessions hanging in the air, both women remained silent. A tension dancing around them.
Fang was the first to speak, "Light…I"
"Drop it."
"…. I just wanted to say that since our trip began…I haven't felt lonely. Not with you."
Fang stopped there, allowing the soldier to take her words however she wanted. Farron mulled over the Pulsian's comment, "… let's drop it."
The brunette nodded and faced the fire once more. She dusted off her sleeping mat and laid down. Lightning took in every motion the huntress made. From the delicate wiping of her mat, to the way her muscles tightened as she stretched across her area. The warrior turned to her side, a strong back now facing the sergeant.
"Hey Sunshine…may I ask a favor?"
Lightning didn't say anything, but sat watching the woman before her. Taking her silence as a go-ahead, Fang asked away, "can you lay beside me tonight? I'm still freezing."
Anger shot through the soldier before it quickly dissipated. How dare she ask that! But it took nerve to. It is my fault she's cold. I can't but…it's so simple a request.
Pink cheeked, the sergeant silently placed her gunblade beside the mat as she lowered her body, mimicking Fang's position. The huntress scooched backwards, getting her back as close to the younger woman as she could. "You can put a little effort into it. I don't bite unless you ask."
Lightning clenched her jaw as she wrapped her arm around Fang loutishly. She pulled her tight, causing the Pulsian to wheeze. "Easy there, I like playing rough. You of all people should know that."
"Quiet."
Farron's voice was heavily lined with tension. She was burning up. She barely moved, her posture rigid and unforgiving. "Damn it Light! It's like I'm sleeping next to a block of wood! Relax, I ain't gonna tell a soul you spooned with me."
An irritable grunt escaped the Cocoon native's mouth, her solid position never changing. A heavy sigh came from the huntress. "Turn over. We're switching. You're gonna keep me warm properly and you're gonna like it."
"Tch."
"Don't 'tch' me. Move."
"Bossy much?"
" I learn quickly. You ought to be damn proud."
The two readjusted themselves without another word. Fang smiled wolfishly into pink hair, the light scent of roses and lavender tickling her senses. Raising her legs up, she nestled them perfectly against the contour of Light's body.
A short moment later, Lightning heard and felt the shift in Fang's breathing. Sleep did not come quiet as easy for the sergeant. Her mind racing with every thought and feeling she has had for the past few months. In the end, it all came back to one obvious thing. Oerba yun Fang. Lightning thought of herself at this very moment. She's on a hard rock floor, yet she has never been so comfortable in her life. She has a storm raging outside with beasts all around her that could tear a god to shreds. However she has never felt so safe.
There was something about this woman that intrigued her. Perhaps it was the mysteries of her past that were slowly unveiling. Perhaps it was that feral look she would often give without thought. Perhaps it was the way she was so passionate in everything she did. Maybe it was her consistent bravery in battles and life. Who couldn't help but like this woman? Who wouldn't want to be around her? Light tried to convince herself she was merely caught up in Fang's charm. It was something she didn't hate, but it was something she couldn't rationally explain.
Some time later, warmth and comfort dragged the soldier into a deep sleep. A sleep she had not had since her parents died. It was a sleep that seemed to recuperate her tortured soul.
Warm hands found their way around the soldier's stomach, leaving behind a fiery trail in their wake. A sultry voice, thick with wanting, whispered from behind into her ear. "Give in to desire. Give in to me."
Lightning slowly opened her eyes. A thin shroud of sweat coated her forehead. The beat of her heart pounded through her chest.
The women had shifted through the night, Light's vest having shimmied upward, exposing much her abdomen. Fang's hand rested upon her diaphragm and her legs had entwined like vines around Farron's own. Another dream?
Lightning turned her head to the body beside her. Strands of auburn hair had fallen over the warrior's face as shadowed lids shielded her green eyes. Her expression, if Light had to describe it, would be one of a cat eating a canary. Pure satisfaction. Farron felt her ears rise as a small smile fought its way to the surface. Darkness washed over the soldier once again.
Fang awoke to the sound of Light's voice.
"Do you see clear skies? … Good. Once the rain has stopped, search the surrounding area and map any landmarks and vegetation the scanners don't pick up. Use the Librascope for completion of the bestiary. And Wedge…watch over the squad. Farron out."
The solider placed her com unit back in its pouch and rested her hands on her hips.
"Any trouble?"
"I'm having the squad map the surrounding area. We're too far behind to do it all ourselves."
"Looks like momma bird finally let her chicks go," Fang said in a teasing tone.
"Cut the crap. Not by a long shot."
"Say what you will, but you do play the part though. You're protective of 'em."
"They're one of my own."
"I understand."
Fang thought to herself for a moment. "Say, do our com units reach residential numbers?"
"They should."
Fang rubbed the back of her neck, answering Lightning's questioning look, "well, we're still a ways off in data collection…but I'm sure Bhakti could be reprogrammed to our scanners and map out areas. I'd have to talk to Vanille first, but if she can't remember I could ask Sahz. I mean it's worth a shot."
"Couldn't hurt."
Fang smiled. "So how did the skies look?"
"Wedge said it would be clear here in about five hours."
"Guess we just do what we've been doing. Atomos should be stirring soon then with the weather not as harsh."
Farron nodded. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't getting cabin fever. "Your terrain scanner will pick up everything at Atomos' speed, yeah?"
The pinkette switched her hips as she reached for her scanner. After a couple beeps and a chipper "bing," the soldier pocketed the device with an, "affirmative."
A couple hours later, a large rumble traveled its way through the cave. Both women jumped to their feet, grabbing their weapons and belongings. "This is it! Let's go!"
The duo sprinted their way down the cavern in a silent race. Fang grinned as she reached for her lance and cut toward her opponent. Lightning dodged the blades and snapped her fingers, activating the Grav-con. She spiraled forward and bounced off a boulder to give her the edge. Un-holstering her gunblade, she aimed behind her and shot toward the huntress. Fang dug her lance in the ground and vaulted her body around the whizzing bullet. Now even with one another, both ladies tucked their heads and went in an all out sprint. Fang's longer legs gave her the advantage in stride, however the grip of Lightning's boots gave her the advantage in propulsion.
With the trench in sight, the two pushed even harder. A screech echoed through the cave and a winged creature swooped at them. "Storm is gone and the beasts are ready to play! Heads up Sunshine!"
With her warning, Fang rushed her weapon straight at Lightning. Farron ducked under the strike and rolled behind the Pulsian. The lance struck the Skata'ne hard, knocking it back. Following through with her attack, the huntress twisted around, her hand held out and open. Farron grabbed the offering and Fang turned fully around, propelling the soldier toward the fiend. Lightning shot twice before flipping open her gunblade for the finishing strike. The beast lay twitching on the floor as Lightning pulled her blade from its throat. Fang tossed a rag to the younger woman who appreciatively used it to wipe off her weapon. "Thanks."
"You gotta admit, we're pretty badass together."
A small smile formed on the soldier's lips as she walked to the edge of the trench. Looking down, she kicked a pebble in. "I win."
Fang crossed her arms and leaned back on her right leg. "Ah come on, that's fu-!"
The ground began to shake once more as Atomos came barreling down the tunnel.
"This ain't over."
Lightning said nothing as both women hopped on and traveled to Sulyya Springs.
"How's your situation?"
"We're good her Sergeant. Everyone is accounted for and we have much of our area logged."
"LACE report."
"Liquids: green. Ammo: amber. Coms and equipment are green."
"10-4. Start widening your radius and watch each other's backs."
"Roger that Sergeant. We're on it."
"Right. Over and out."
Fang could see the worry in Light's face. "They'll be fine. They've done their training. Same as you."
"They don't harbor the l'Cie abilities like we do."
"They have their AMP manadrives. Which I hear will be hitting the civilian market soon. NORA has been looking into it is how I know…before you ask."
"Tch, they would."
"Perhaps it's what their little group needs to make it big."
"A new leader wouldn't hurt."
"Cut Snow a break. He tries."
"And why haven't you joined their ranks? I'm sure Lebreau has asked multiple times."
"She has," Fang confirmed, her eyes focusing on the fiend coming from behind Lightning.
Light turned and parried the creature's attack. Fang dashed forward and launched it high in the air. "But I don't really think they're the group for me. 'Sides, meetings are on Fridays and that's my game night with you. I sure as hell won't give that up."
Lightning unleashed Smite on the staggered Orobon, causing it to collapse in defeat.
"Right."
"It's true Sunshine. In spite of your attitude half the time, you do have some redeeming qualities."
"Like?"
"Like your ability to get things done. Even with things looking bleak, you manage to pull through. You have a natural leadership quality. People follow you. People want to follow you. They know your heart is in the right place."
"And these are things you see?"
"Sweetheart, these are things everyone sees, not just me. Which makes me wonder, how is it you're so alone when people are dying to talk to you?"
"Hmph, yeah right."
The two women continued their conversation walking from the Subterranean Lake to the Skyreach. "I'm dead serious. What intrigues someone to go up to a stranger and chat? Nine times outta ten it's their looks and demeanor. You're standoffish and you don't smile, but you're a babe."
"You really just call me a babe?"
"Damn right I did, and you are. Your problem is you like being protected. Not letting anyone in."
Pink eyebrows furrowed as Farron picked up a defensive stance. "Then why are you lonely? Your life's an open book right?"
Fang felt the agitation in Lightning's voice. "I'm not trying to rile you up. And I never said I'm an open book either. I'm alone because I'm waiting on the right person."
The soldier scoffed," and have you found that right person?"
Fang bit the inside of her lip before answering, "I believe so, yeah."
"And?"
"It's a bit complicated."
Lightning saw a flash of guilt in Fang's eyes. It mixed with the look of a caged animal when they've just been caught. In that moment, Lightning knew she couldn't pretend not to notice Fang's little crush. But that was never her problem. Now it's obvious. I need to get out of this situation. Just say fine and leave it at that.
"Do you like me?"
Lightning winced internally. Damnit…betrayed again.
Fang's world stopped moving. She was done playing her game. She didn't want to admit her feelings when it was her mission to make Light admit her own. She didn't want to do this now. The bottom line of everything was her fear. Oerba Yun Fang, huntress from Gran Pulse, half of Ragnarok, a savior of Cocoon, and a l'Cie who overcame her brand of certain death twice, was finally afraid. This isn't fair.
Perspiration beaded on Fang's forehead under Lightning's intense gaze. She swallowed hard with a scratchy throat. A choice had to be made here and now. With all the courage she could muster, Fang sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "Yep, I do."
Lightning's face held strong, her tongue not able to find a comfortable position in her mouth. The feral woman had done it again. She remained strong and true to herself and how she felt.
"You should learn to hide it better."
The younger woman walked away with a smile of elation that she couldn't control. Fang was confused. "Wait, that's it?"
The sergeant kept walking, so as her partner wouldn't see her expression. "What should I do?"
"I dunno…something. You like me then?"
Lightning's heart pounded in her chest. "I didn't say that."
Fang rolled her eyes, feeling like she was a teenager again. "Yeah, well, you're also not saying that you don't like me. So what is it?"
Taking from the conversation earlier, Lightning shrugged, "it's a bit complicated."
The Pulsian reached out and grabbed Light's arm, forcing her to be face to face. "I took a huge risk at opening up to you. Not knowing whether you'd kill me or run away…the least you can do is tell me no."
Farron tore her arm away from the huntress' grip but held her ground. Her eyes shifted down to the ground, a faint voice answered, "I can't."
"Weren't you the one who told Hope, it's not a question of can or can't. It's something you just do.' "
"How'd –"
"Kid repeats everything you say. Point is, is you need to follow your own advice. I'll be damned if you call it quits on allowing someone in now."
Lightning's tough girl routine was being chipped away bit by bit by the Pulsian's words. Fang caught a glimpse of a wounded puppy in Light's eyes. She sighed and scratched the back of her head. "I'm going on ahead. Light…if you don't have the nerve to tell me now…then quit giving me those looks like I mean something to you."
Fang held the soldier's gaze a moment longer before she turned away. She inhaled deeply and continued onward to Taejin's Tower.
A.N Whew! Prolly the quickest update I've had in a while. Another thanks for those of you reading this. Please leave some feedback if you have a moment. I take any review whether it be writing tips, acknowledgements, and even suggestions to heart. Hope ya enjoyed!
